Claudio Silva injured, out of UFC Moscow fight with Ramazan Emeev

Ramazan Emeev needs a new opponent for UFC Moscow.

The former M-1 Global middleweight champion was scheduled to face Claudio Silva in a welterweight bout Sept. 15 in Russia, but the Brazilian was forced out of the card with a lower back injury, sources told MMA Fighting.

Silva won’t need surgery and is targeting a December return to the Octagon, sources said.

The 35-year-old was sidelined for almost four years as he battled injuries following a decision win over Leon Edwards in 2014. He finally returned to action in May, tapping Nordine Taleb in the first round and scoring his 12th straight victory to improve to 3-0 in the UFC.

Emeev (17-3), winner of his last six fights, is 2-0 under the UFC banner with decision victories over Sam Alvey and Alberto Mina.

UFC Moscow takes place at the Olimpiyskiy Arena and features Mark Hunt vs. Alexey Oleynik in the main event.